Saw clamp



Patented Oct. 7, 19 47 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a clamping tool and more particularly to newand useful improvements in a saw clamp adapted to effectively hold a sawwhile sharpening or while other` corrective operations are effectedthereon.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed which is simple and inexpensive to construct, and which may bereadily transported to, and used at, places remote from an establishedshop.

Another object is to provide a saw clamp which includes elongatedgripping jaws having aligned opposed gripping faces, and means forbringing such faces into engagement with a saw placed therebetween.

Still another object is to provide elongated angular gripping jaws withthe edges thereof flanged in a common plane to provide enlarged grippingfaces and to impart rigidity to the jaws.

A still further object is to provide a clamp that is adapted to receivea saw of indefinite length, and which therefore maybe used for varioustypes of saws such as hand saws, band saws, cross cut saws, etc.

Another object is to provide a saw clamp having one fixed gripping jaw,and a complementary opposed movable jaw with manually operable means formoving the latter to engage a saw interposed therebetween.

The foregoing objects together with additional objects will be morefully apparent from the following description taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational View of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the device as viewed from the left in Fig.2.

The clamp I is shown in the disclosed embodiment as comprising anelongated support or base member 2 having secured thereto at oppositeends spaced frame members 3 and il. It is intended that the base member2 shall be provided with suitable means for attaching the device to asuitable supporting structure such as a work bench. To this end aplurality of openings 5 are shown in the member 2 so that suitablefastening means such as lag screws, nails, or bolts, may be used.

The end members 3 and ll are made of relatively heavy metal, and areprovided with longitudinal slots I0 extending inwardly from one endthereof, and of sufficient width to receive the blade of a saw to beclamped in the device. The slots I0 terminate at their upper ends in adiamond shaped opening I I which receives elongated gripping members I2and I3. Each of the members I2 and I3 is angular in cross section, andsuch members are so oriented within the structure that the edges thereofare in opposed relation to provide gripping faces for a saw that ispositioned within the slots I3. The member I2 is secured in place withinthe openings II as by means of brackets Ill, the gripping faces I5thereof, lying within a common plane with one side of the slots I0 inthe respective members 3 and 4.

The other gripping member I3 is longitudinally slidable within theopenings I I, and is provided with wedge blocks I6 mounted on its outerfaces adjacent the end members 3 and 4. It seems apparent thatlongitudinal movement of the member I3 in the direction indicated by thearrow Il will cause the wedges I6 to enter the openings II whereby themember I3 is forced toward, and into engagement with the member I2, orwith a saw or other object interposed therebetween. In order to providedesired longitudinal movement of the member I3 to effect clamping andunclamping operations, a sector 2i] is mounted upon the base 2, and'inturn a manually operable lever 2I is pivotally mounted at 22 thereon.The inner end of this lever is pivotally connected at 23 to a link 24which enters a recess between ears 25 on the back of the member I3. Abolt 26 passes through the ears 25 and the link 24 so thai-l a desiredconnection is effected between the clamping member I3 and the lever 2l.

To avoid movement of the lever 2l in a direction to effect unclamping ofa saw engaged between the members I2 and I3, the periphery of the sector20 is provided with teeth 26 which are engageable by a dog 2l mountedupon the nether side of the lever.

The clamping members I2 and I3 are of particular construction in thatsuch members are angular in cross section and the terminii of the legsthereof are flanged at 30 so that enlarged opposed gripping faces arepresented at opposite sides of the planes defined by the slots Ill. Notonly does this feature of construction provide enlarged gripping faces,but it also rgidines the members I2 and I3 so that uniform clampingaction is had throughout the full length of these members.

The operation of the embodiment just described is believed apparent fromthe foregoing description. By way of summary it will be pointed out thatthe clamp I is first suitably secured in place for use. The dog 21 isreleased and the arm 2| is moved as indicated by the arrow 28 so that agap is provided between the clamp- ,ing members above the slots I in theend or is caused to enter one of the recesses 26 wherebyv p suchclamping action is maintained during the period of use of the device.

Attention -is directed te the feet that, as the lever 2l is moved towardclamping positionfthe f force exerted upon the ears 25, .alncgitin.turny.upon

the clamping member I3 introduces a component4 e of force directedtoward the clamping member I2. Accordingly the rigidity of the members 3andV f4 maintains yclamping laction proximate thereto Lwhile `the -forceexerted through rthe clampinglever.likewisetends to maintain eicientclampingaction intermediate the :frame .members 3.and '4. y

',Broadly :the invention .comprehends a saw clamp .which is .adapted toreceive .saw "blades Vof unlimited tlength vand to effectively hold'such blades in a desiredposition that.niecessarynoper-y said vjaw tothe end members with v.its gripping face in the plane of the slots, asecond elongated jaw extending through said-openings in opposedrelationto said rst mentioned vjaw,'wedgerneans onA the-outerface rofsaid second jaw;and means formoving said second "jaw vso that the 'wedgemeans enters the openings whereby the jaws engage a saw placed withinthe slots.

2. A saw clamp comprising a frame including end members having sawreceiving slots therein, saidslots terminating at their'outer ends inenlarged openings through the members, opposed elongated gripping jawsextending through said openings, one of said jaws being secured withinthe openings having its gripping .face .lying substantially-'inthe'ffplane of the receivingslots, the other of said jaws lbeing movablein the direc- A.tion of its length and having a wedging surfaceY on itsouter face, and means for moving said other jaw longitudinally so thatthe wedging suruface enters one of said openings and moves the ":awtransversely of the slots to engage a saw po-` siti'oned withinzthe'slots.

VIRGIL c. CRANK.

REFERENCES CITED Y v ThefOIlowing 'references vare of record linthe 'levof "this patent:A Y

UNITED VSTATES PATENTS Number Name Y *Date '112565856 -Pond Nov; V177,"187.4 "220;694 Barrow Oct. 21, 1879 V3985031 'Covel Feb. 19,1889586,859 Holt Ju1y13, 1897 661,727 Shotwe1l Y Nov. Y13,V 1900 '979,967Koeberl'e Y Dec.27, 1910 J'1,024,743 Padrick Apr. 30, 1912 -1;02'8,"775Peterson June 4, 191'2 1,196,772 4Gaede "Sept, 5, 1916 1,200,589 CordreyOct. 10, 1916 11,342,236 'Saa-ko June '1, 1920 1,555,584 Juaire Sept.29, 1925 1,580,197 AHargrave Apr. 13,1926 1,785,613 lumer Dec. v16, 19301,18671042 :Waller July 12, '1932 V'1,877,096 Waller Sept. '13, 1932'22293,888 `Davis Aug. 25, 1942

